Egypt - Travel Warning
November 26, 1997
CAIRO (EmergencyNet News) - The U.S. Embassy in Egypt has warned Americans in that North African/Middle East country that the terrorist group that was responsible for the massacre in Luxor last week may be planning attacks on U.S. interests in Egypt.
The Department of State issued the following Public Announcement:
"The U.S. Government has reason to believe the terrorist group which conducted the November 17th attack in Luxor may be planning unspecified attacks against U.S. interests in Egypt. U.S. citizens are advised to exercise vigilance while in Egypt."
Source: U.S. Dept. of State and EmergencyNet News Service -11/26/97
The Organization repeated the warnings to tourists not to go to the places that have become targets for operations against tourism, pointing out that the operations of the Egyptian Islamic Movement are "in self-defense." On the murder of innocent civilians, the article says: "We stress our firm conviction that the murder of innocent civilians is unacceptable, but this does not apply to foreigners in Egypt."
Source: Nov. 25, 1997 U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security, OSAC-EBB
Luxor, Eqypt (EmergencyNet News) Conflicting reports continue to be received about the number of dead and injured in a terrorist bus hijacking and firefight that took place today in Southern Egypt. The incident took place at the Deir al-Bahri temple, also known as Hatshepsut, in the Valley of the Kings on the west bank of the Nile. The popular archeological site is located 300 miles (500 km) south of Cairo.
While the official casualty figures remain uncertain, authorities said the drama began with the six gunmen hijacking a tour bus in Luxor, a stronghold for Islamic militants opposed to the government. An unknown number of tourists, possibly as many as 60 (according to the Reuters News Service at 7:53 AM EST) from Japan, France, and Switzerland, 3 Egyptian policemen, and 6 terrorists were reportedly wounded or killed in an exchange of gunfire between suspected Moslem militants and Egyptian security forces.
The identity of the attackers and motive for the attack has not been ascertained at the time of this report, nor has any group claimed responsibility for this latest atrocity. Egyptian police simply described the attackers as "militants," a term often used to describe Moslem fundamentalists opposed to the current government in Egypt.
Attacks by Moslem militants have killed at least 34 international tourists in the past five years. Overall about 1,100 people have been killed since 1992, when extremists launched a campaign aimed at ousting President Hosni Mubarak.
Emergencynet News continues to monitor events in Eqypt and will provide additional reports as circumstances warrant.
(C) EmergencyNet News Service, 1997. All rights reserved.
Excerpted from: ERRI DAILY INTELLIGENCE REPORT-ERRI Risk Assessment Services-Tuesday, October 14, 1997 Vol. 3 - 287
CHICAGO (EmergencyNet News) - Public threats by groups that were identified by the U.S. State Department as as terrorist organizations continue to come to be received. Last week, the DoS announced that it was illegal for Americans and U.S. residents to provide 30 recognized terrorist groups with funds or other support.
The al-Gama'a al-Islamiya (Islamic Group or IG) has issued a threat to attack Americans in the Arab world. The dangerous terrorist group accused the United States of attacking Muslims and warned that the group will retaliate, according to a statement sent to the Al-Sharq Al-Awsatt newspaper.
In the statement, the Egyptian terrorist organization said: "Islamic movements are capable of turning the bodies of Muslims into time bombs that will chase Americans and Jews in Egypt, Palestine, Jordan and Lebanon and everywhere."
On Friday, 10 October, ERRI reported on a Public Announcement that was issued by the U.S. State Department. The ERRI report said:
WASHINGTON (EmergencyNet News) - The U.S. State Department on Thursday issued a Public Announcement regarding the publication of the list of foreign terrorist organizations.
The DoS said: "The Department of State has no specific information regarding threats to U.S. citizens at this time as a result of the designation of foreign terrorist organizations but believes some of the groups may consider changing their attitude toward targeting U.S. interests in reaction to their designation. American citizens traveling abroad should always seek to minimize their risks by being aware of their surroundings and exercising caution as to their activities."
ERRI is now reiterating this announcement as a "terrorism alert."
Source: EmergencyNet NEWS Service, Vol. 3, No. 287